When people look at me they ask, “are you Russian… German perhaps?” I respond with a smile and say, “no, I come from Central America.” “No way, I don’t believe you! Say something in Spanish.”

I ask, what do you do when you don’t look the way you’re supposed to look? What is your identity when you can’t be placed in a category already in place?

I am…. Who am I? Born in Costa Rica to parents from Guatemala and Nicaragua but raised in Canada. What am I? Spanish is my mother tongue, English came second and then came French. What defines me? Rice and beans my daily meal, complemented by monthly trips to Chinese buffets. Where do I fit in?

I look white but am brown and feel like I’m black. What color is that?

Grey?

I am… Who am I?

A mirage in the desert to a thirsty nomad. As he gazes out into the horizon he becomes very glad, and declares, “I’ve found water i swear I’ve found water” unaware that what he deems to be water is nothing more than a trick of the mind.

I won’t be defined from a distance.

Latino. A word loaded with stereotypes you can easily snipe, and say, “I know your type.” “You eat tacos, sing mariachi, belong to a gang, and deal drugs. You work in fields under the sun, and for fun, play with piñatas.” “You cross borders illegally, desperately looking for the promised land.” “My land. And you are here because we let you.”

I am… Who am I?

With my German fiancé we sit at a Chinese restaurant. The atmosphere is light and full of laughter. To my right sits my Sudanese friend conversing with a Korean Acquaintance. They speak of travels through Morocco, and as my Ghanian friend arrives, I get up and propose a toast.

It is in this holy space I find my place. Everywhere. Not restricted to a culture or race I breathe in this air. I teeeeeear down the walls of prejudice, and repaaaair the cracks of separation between one group and another. I bind with love that which has been broken. I unite those who are divorced by hatred and resentment. We are one, I say. We are one.

ONE ADAM. A damned race made up of atoms. Alone we are smaller than the eye can see. But together we are greater than the expansive sea.

I am a reflection of everyone I encounter. I am a voice for those with no identity. I am a man. a hu-man. I am more than my passport, more than my inheritance. More than the blood that flows through my veins. I am what I am and I will be what I will be.

I am here. With a past and aspirations for the future. I am the present. And in this moment I say, live.” I am a child who feels beating hearts, and sees not color of skin. I am a contradiction, friction for those who see with limited eyes, and don’t realize, the lies they have been told.

I am a man who fights for his friends, who lives for his wife, I give all of myself to them. …like a fire we bring heat to cold hearts. And ignite flames that illuminate the night sky.

Cuz We are passionate.

-ly seeking a better tomorrow. And though we see sorrow, we envision what is unseen, what is obstructed from view by the machine. That controls what we believe, so we cannot conceive LIGHT.

But Heaven is here. So I apply for citizenship of this Earthly kingdom. And beat on the drum (bam bam) of progress.

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